The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate-Chapter 163. Pajar Sultanate (3)

Sultan Kazir had ruled the Pajar Sultanate for thirty-two years. And at the same time, without a doubt, he was an enemy of the empire.

"I greet the Sultan," Caron said, lowering his head as he kneeled on one knee.

A moment of silence passed before a rough, weathered voice filled the chamber. "Caron Leston, the youngest of the Ducal Family of Leston—raise your head."

At the command, Caron slowly lifted his gaze.

Seated upon the throne was a man of small stature, his face concealed beneath a golden mask. Only his white hair, peeking over the edges of the mask, was visible. From time to time, a cough rattled from his throat, which was a clear sign that his health was failing.

And yet, despite his frailty, the Sultan radiated an undeniable presence. It was the dignity of a ruler, a weight that made those before him shrink instinctively.

But Caron met his gaze without hesitation, his posture unwavering.

The Sultan let out a low chuckle and said, "What an interesting young man. I especially like those eyes of yours. I hear you are seventeen years old this year, is that right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Caron replied.

"I find that hard to believe. No mere seventeen-year-old should have eyes that dark and deep," the Sultan remarked.

From behind the mask, his obsidian-like eyes gleamed for a fleeting moment. Then, he fell silent, watching Caron intently. After what felt like an eternity, he lifted a hand and gestured toward Nadia.

"Nadia, return his confiscated belongings," the Sultan instructed.

"With all due respect, Sultan," Nadia said carefully, "This young man is dangerous. Your decision may be dangerous."

The Sultan laughed heartily, then asked, "What is there to fear when I have you by my side?"

"He is an uncontrollable mad dog," Nadia said.

"And yet, he is also the one who saved my son. At this moment, I would not hesitate to entrust even my life to him," the Sultan said.

"...If that is Your Majesty's will," Nadia replied, then inclined her head toward the royal guards stationed behind her.

At her signal, one of them stepped forward and returned Caron's belongings, which had been seized before his imprisonment. They were his pouch of dimensional space and Guillotine.

Caron strapped them on with relaxed ease before flashing the Sultan a bright smile. He bowed his head and said, "I am grateful for Your Majesty's generosity."

"I have merely returned what belongs to its rightful owner. There is no need for gratitude," the Sultan said, then leaned forward slightly. "I have several questions for you."

"Please, ask away," Caron said with a nod.

As soon as Caron nodded, the Sultan began his questioning.

"Did you come here under the empire's orders, or was it at Duke Halo's order?" the Sultan asked.

The Orias Empire and the Pajar Sultanate had been long-standing enemies. It was only natural for the Sultan to question whether this matter was tied to political maneuvering.

Caron considered the question for a moment before shaking his head and replying, "Neither."

"Then whose will brought you here?" the Sultan asked.

"It was my own will," Caron replied.

It was a simple and straightforward answer.

The Sultan ran his fingers over his mask, then continued, "I hear you wish to enter the Ali Oasis. I would like to know why."

His voice carried a trace of curiosity, almost bordering on warmth.

Caron smiled faintly and said, "I apologize, but I don't think I can share that reason."

The Sultan chuckled then said, "You insolent wretch. You barged into my palace and took the Crown Prince's life as hostage. Even if I were to have you executed here and now, the empire would have no grounds to protest."

His tone was gentle, yet the threat within the words was clear.

But Caron saw through it immediately. It wasn't a serious threat. That was precisely why he responded with an even brighter smile, "And I also know that a merciful ruler like yourself wouldn't execute the man who saved your son's life."

"If I killed you now, would that make me an ungrateful coward?" the Sultan asked.

"That wasn't what I meant," Caron replied smoothly.

"I like that nerve of yours," the Sultan mused. "So, the rumors are true—Duke Halo's most cherished grandson. I can see why."

He gazed at Caron with satisfaction, thinking, The empire's new hero, was it?.

Titles such as 'hero' were often exaggerated. Yet, as he observed the young man before him, the Sultan found that the title didn't feel misplaced in the slightest for Caron.

To boldly make such a move in the heart of an enemy's palace, and to stand before a ruler without a shred of fear...

He is a rare find, the Sultan thought.

Some had called this young man an uncontrollable mad dog. But the Sultan found that quality rather appealing. In truth, he was disappointed that none of his own children possessed such boldness.

"I heard from the royal physician that the Crown Prince's condition has improved. He may even wake up today. No one had been able to cure his illness. I am curious—how did you do it?" the Sultan asked.

Caron nodded slowly at the question before saying, "All I did was purge the dark mana that had taken root in his body. That was all."

"Dark mana..." the Sultan repeated, his voice turning cold. "Why do you think such a cursed force was inside the Crown Prince?"

The weight of the Sultan's tone made it clear that he was asking who had dared to curse the Crown Prince.

But that was something even Caron didn't know. He thought, It's not like I can peer into the past.

The only way to piece things together was to ask the Crown Prince himself.

"All I can say for certain is that someone cast the curse. I don't know the details myself. However, there is one thing I can promise," Caron said, offering the Sultan a faint smile. "If you entrust me with finding the culprit, I will see it done."

It had been the dark mana of Sloth—an ominous force infused with the power of a Demon King. That meant there was a servant of the Demon King lurking somewhere within this very palace.

Caron had no intention of turning a blind eye to such a threat.

The Sultan stroked his chin thoughtfully at Caron's proposal, then said, "You seem confident."

"The Ducal Family of Leston has fought against dark mana for generations. The sword I carry, this very blade, is the natural enemy of such power," Caron explained.

As Caron lightly swung Guillotine, the Sultan's expression shifted to intrigue. He said, "Our Sultanate and the empire have been at odds for a very long time. That is precisely why you had to sneak into my palace in secret. Am I wrong?"

"I won't deny it," Caron admitted.

"I do not trust people," the Sultan stated. "I only trust their greed."

With that, he finally got to the heart of the matter.

"I will grant you permission to enter the Ali Oasis. Consider it a reward for saving the Crown Prince's life. Furthermore, what happened in the Crown Prince's chamber will remain buried. In other words, you will not be punished," the Sultan declared.

Caron had not only trespassed into the royal palace, but also plunged his sword into the Crown Prince—then even held him as a hostage. And to make matters worse, he was an enemy of the Sultanate. By all rights, it was an offense deserving of immediate execution.

"I believe I have shown you considerable mercy," the Sultan continued. "So, find the one who cursed my son."

It was a simple command that meant, Since I spared your life, do as I say.

Caron merely shrugged. Then, looking the Sultan straight in the eye, he replied boldly, "There is something I wish to know."

"I will allow it. Speak," the Sultan said.

"I never imagined that you would regard the Crown Prince's life so lightly," Caron remarked. It was an outrageously insolent remark.

The moment he spoke, Nadia moved as if to intervene, but the Sultan raised a hand, stopping her. He said, "Let him finish talking."

"But, Your Majesty, his tongue is too brazen. He may offend—" Nadia said, but was cut off.

"I'm rather curious to hear what he has to say," the Sultan said. Signaling for Caron to continue, he nodded.

With a smirk, Caron pressed on, "I admit I have committed a grave offense. However, in the end, I did save the Crown Prince's life. Yet the Sultan claims that such a deed is not enough to erase my crime. Forgive me, but I find that difficult to understand."

In a single stroke, Caron had painted the Sultan as a heartless father who placed little value on his own son's life. And rather than respond immediately, the Sultan decided to observe—curious to see just how far this mad dog would go.

Even the empire's most discreet envoys displayed humility before him. Yet here was a mere seventeen-year-old, standing unshaken. It was impossible for him to not find it amusing.

A brief silence followed before Caron delivered another verbal blow, asking, "Do you see me as a fool?"

At that, the Sultan could no longer hold back his laughter. He exclaimed, "Ha! You truly are mad."

"Your Majesty, if you wish for me to find the one who cursed the Crown Prince, then please present a new set of terms," Caron requested.

"You dare speak of negotiations after causing such a mess in my palace?" the Sultan scoffed. "In all my years, I have never encountered a madman quite like you. However..."

The Sultan slowly rose from his throne. Stepping toward Caron, he declared, "I like you. So, name your terms."

A moment later, upon hearing Caron's proposal, the Sultan found himself laughing once again. "And here I thought you were merely insane. But now I see—you're nothing short of a thief," he said. He had seen right through Caron's nature.

Still, after a brief pause, he nodded and said, "Very well. I accept your terms."

"I sincerely thank you, Your Majesty, for such a wise decision," Caron said.

And with that, the deal was struck.

***

Four hours after Caron's audience with the Sultan, word spread throughout the palace that the Crown Prince had awakened.

And the first person the Crown Prince sought upon opening his eyes was none other than Caron. The room they met in was the very same chamber where, just hours ago, a hostage crisis had played out.

"Clark, seeing you awake like this... I could die now without regret," Samir said, his voice thick with emotion.

"Haha, Samir. You should live far longer than I," Crown Prince Clark replied.

"Please don't say such things," Samir said.

"There are many eyes watching. Stop crying and stand up," Clark said.

It was a tearful reunion between brothers.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

After patting Samir's back a few more times, Clark slowly turned his gaze to Caron. He said, "I heard that you saved my life."

"I only used a few tricks I happen to know," Caron replied lightly.

"...I don't even know how to properly thank you. If not for you, I doubt I would have ever woken up," Clark said.

Caron flashed a bright smile at the grateful Crown Prince, then said, "There's no need for Your Highness to thank me. The Sultan has already rewarded me generously."

Caron truly meant it. He had no doubt that he had secured the greatest prize he could possibly obtain from the Pajar Sultanate.

Seeing Caron's confident expression, Clark let out a faint smile and said, "My father is not a man who gives so freely. I can't help but wonder—just what did you manage to gain?"

"You'll be surprised when you hear it," Caron teased.

"At least it'll give me some idea of what my life was worth," Clark mused.

"Well, telling you is no trouble at all," Caron said with a grin, his voice filled with satisfaction. "The Sultan has granted me the Thousand Venom Pill."

The moment those words left Caron's lips, the Crown Prince let out a breath of astonishment. He asked, "...Is that true? My father actually gave you the Thousand Venom Pill?"

"It seems His Majesty cares for you deeply. He handed over such a precious item without hesitation," Caron answered.

Clark chuckled and replied, "Be precise with your words. It means he took a liking to you."

The Thousand Venom Pill was a medicine found only in the Pajar Sultanate.

The nation had long been renowned for its poisons. Famous for its assassins, the Sultanate had become a hub for poison research, developing toxins so advanced that even the empire's academies struggled to analyze them.

The Thousand Venom Pill was the pinnacle of that knowledge. It was a miraculous medicine that granted immunity to all poisons; a rare elixir handled exclusively by the royal family, one that only heirs to the throne had ever been permitted to consume.

While its effects weren't as legendary as the Dew of the World Tree, the mere fact that it could grant resistance to poison made it priceless beyond measure.

There was a simple reason why only royal heirs were allowed to take it. In a nation famous for assassinations and poison, there had once been a time when many crown princes fell to poisoning. So to prevent that, a tradition had been established—and it had been passed down to this very day.

"This is unprecedented in history," Clark muttered under his breath.

Never before had the Thousand Venom Pill been given to anyone outside the royal line.

Caron Leston was from the Orias Empire—an enemy nation of the Sultanate. The fact that someone like him had dared to demand the Thousand Venom Pill was already absurd.

But even more unbelievable to Clark was that his father had agreed. The Sultan was the shrewdest man in the entire palace. He would never have handed over the pill without a reason.

Clark wondered what exactly the Sultan was thinking.

"It's just as unprecedented for a crown prince to fall victim to dark mana," Caron pointed out.

"When will you receive the Thousand Venom Pill?" Clark asked.

"Oh, that?" Caron replied, then tapped his stomach lightly. "It's already here."

"...Most people are bedridden for at least a week after taking it. I certainly was," Clark said.

"Well, I'm not like 'most people,'" Caron countered. Pulling up a chair, he dragged it next to the Crown Prince and sat down leisurely before continuing, "The important thing isn't whether I took that precious pill or not."

The Sultan had already paid him in advance. Now, it was his turn to deliver results.

"The real question is—how do we root out the rats infesting the palace? Wouldn't you agree?" Caron asked.

Clark caught the flicker of malice in Caron's gaze. He couldn't guess what the malice was directed at, but one thing was certain.

Since my father gave his permission, a bloodbath is inevitable, Clark thought.

The Sultan had unleashed a mad dog into the palace. It wasn't hard to see what would come next.

A brief silence followed, then he said, "I first noticed something was wrong with my body six months ago. It must have started after I visited the Ali Oasis."

The words that spilled from the Crown Prince's lips were shocking.

Caron listened with a grave expression, absorbing every detail. Suppressing his growing anger, he let out a low chuckle and said, "...Hah. These bastards."

The situation was worse than he had anticipated.

It was far, far worse.